Ornamental wheel disk structure



Patented June, 20, 1939 UNITED. STATES PATENT OFFICE I 2,162,730 ORNAMENTAL WHEEL DISK STRUCTURE .George Albert Lyon, Allenhurst, N. J. Application December 19, 1934, Serial No. 758,178

7 Claims.

My present invention relates to an ornamental wheel disk structure, and more specifically to an ornamental disk and wheel structure wherein the disk may be snapped into and out of engagement with spring elements carried by the wheel, the

disk being of such configuration and width as to conceal all of the exposed surface. of the wheel flange which is connected to the rim, and also to 'take the place of the usual hub cap.

An object of the invention relates to the formation of the center ofthe disk with an outwardly depressed circular portion which not only simulates a hub cap, but which lends itself readily V to cooperation with spring elements for retaining the disk in position on the wheel.

Another and further object of the invention relates to the provision of an ornamental disk Wheel structure wherein the wheel has a plurality of centrally positioned spring elements so arranged that they will'readily and tightly embrace a central portion of a disk snapped thereover, and will at the same. time provide strength where the spring elements bear upon the disk.

In accordance with the general features of the invention, there are provided herein two embodiments of the invention, in each of which there is an ornamental disk of relatively thin metallic sheet material, having a cushion at its outer margin for engagement with the wheel rim, and having a central outwardly depressed portion which lends itself to ornamentation for causing it to simulate a hub cap, and which depressed.

portion is cooperable with a plurality of spring elements secured to the wheel flange or hub part;

these elements being so arranged as to be cooperable with the central portion of the disk in such a manner that strength is provided in the resulting structure where the disk is engaged by the spring elements.

Another feature of the invention is the location of the cushioned outer portion of the disk with respect to the wheel rim so that any tendency of the disk to shift upor down is resisted. by the cushioned bearing of the disk on the rim.

- Other objects and features of this invention will more fully appear from the following detailed description, taken in connection with the accompany drawings, which illustrate several embodiments thereof, and in which:

Figure 1 is a front view of an ornamental wheel disk structure embodying .the features of this invention; Figure 2 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken on line 'II-II of Fig. 1; Figure 3- is a side view of a modified structure;

and Figure 4 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken on the line I VIV of Figure 3.

As shown on the drawings:

. The reference numeral 9 designates generally a' drop center wheel rim which includes a base flange l0, opposite intermediate flanges II, and turned edges l2. Secured to the base flange I is a body part l3 which has an inwardly turned outer margin I 4 secured by any suitable means such, for example, as rivets 15 to the base flange of the wheel rim.

As I have indicated by the reference character It there is an annular joint or groove in the outer side of the wheel which is disadvantageous from an ornamental standpoint in that it is a dirt collector and also in that it interrupts the continuity of the outer appearance of the wheel. It is to' cover this joint as well as the entire part l3 that I have provided a novel disk 25 which I will describe more in detail hereinafter.

The body part I3 01 the wheel has an inwardly depressed fastening part I! which is adapted to be secured by the usual bolts or cap screws I 8 to a vehicle hub l9 to which may be attached a brake drum 20 in the usual way. Since'the bolts l8 must be accessible for removal or application to the wheel, the disk 25 embodying the features of this invention must also be removable whenever it is desired to get to the.

cooperation with the inclined side 26 of an outwardly pressed portion 21 disposed centrally of the disk 25.

This outwardly pressed central portion 21 of the disk 25 is shaped to simulate a hub cap and lend itself readily to ornamentation. I have illustrated'this portion 21 as being provided with an outer thin metallic shell 28 havingits outer edge rolled at 29 about the edge of the outpressed portion 21. This shell 28 may have any suitable indicia thereon such, for example, the name of the automobile to which. the wheel is applied, or the trade-mark or any other insignia such as is commonly used on hub caps.

The outer portion of the disk is turned as indicated at 30 so as to form an annular groove into which a smaller tube 3| of a double tube cushioning element may be compressed. The larger tube engage the surface of the wheel rim adjacent the base flangeit! as is clearly shown in Figure 2. The cushioning element may be made of any suitable material -such, for example, as soft rubber, and is illustrated as having a crosssectional shape resembling a numeral 8. Moreover;this' cushioning element is preferably in the form of a split ring and is adapted to be progressively pressed into the groove provided by the turned edge 30 of the disk 25. Also the smaller tube 3! of this cushioning element may have in it a wire ring 38 cooperable with the cushioning element to aid in maintaining it in the groove in the outer periphery of the disk.

I have also illustrated at 35 a prying tool such,

for example, as a screw driver for prying loose the disk from the wheel. This tool is adapted to engage the turned edge 88 of the disk and to bear against the outer intermediate flange ll of the wheel rim. The location of the edge 3110f the disk is such that-the prying tool can bear on the intermediate flange H as a fulcrum point in the operation .of prying the disk from the wheel. This feature is advantageous in that it provides enough clearance between the tool and the tire which may be mounted on the wheel to allow the tool to be used as a lever. Upon a slight pressure being'applied to this tool, the disk is easily pried loose from the spring retaining elements 2i.

Of course, when the disk is in position on the spring retaining elements 25, these elements a're under compression and tend to hold the disk with its outer cushioning bead tightly against the wheel rim. Also, the edge of the disk is so located with reference to the wheel rim that any tendency of the disk to shift up and down is substantially resisted by the cushioned engage ment of the wheel rim.

The disk 25may be finished in any suitable color to blend with any other colors used in the automotivevehicle and this finishing of the disk should take place prior to the.clinching of the ornamental hub cap plate 28 to the portionil of the disk.

From the foregoing, it will of course be evident that the structure that I have provided is light in weight, easy to manufacture and has relatively great strength where the spring elements bear upon the disc. Moreover, much stronger spring elements than those illustrated could be employed if necessary without resulting in any damage or distortion in the disk.

In Figures 3 and 4 I have illustrated a modi-l flcation of the invention in which the same numerals have been employed to designate parts of the wheel which are identical with parts of the wheel shown in the first form of the invention. No description of these parts .which are the same is thought to be necessary.

In this form of the invention the disk 25 is held in cooperation with the wheel by means of a plurality of spring elements which, as in the case of the spring elements 2|, may be five in number. Each of these elements 2| has a leg 22' secured as by means of rivets 23' to the body part 13. The outer or free'end of the spring element 2|, instead of being bent outwardly, is bent into the shape of a hook, as indicated at 24', for bearing against the inclined surface 26' of the portion 21' of the disk. This portion 21',

as in the case of the preferred formof the in vention, has clinched to it an insignia plate or shell 28 which maybe. made of light metal and ments, when the disk is shoved axially into cooperation therewith, as in the case of the preferred form of the invention, are cammed inwardly until they are in engagement with the inclined surface 26' of the disk. These spring elements, when thus engaged, are under compression and hold the disk tightly against the rim l9.

This form of the disk is also provided with a turned outer edge 3% which carries a rubber cushioning means M similar to the one described in the preferred form of the invention. In addition thereto, the outer portion of the disk 25' has an ornamental bead 40. This bead 40 is of a curved cross-sectional shape, and is rolled or spun over the outer edge of the disk so as to become a part of the disk. Also, this band or bead 40 may be given a lustrous metallic finish, such, for example, as a nickel or chromium plate, thereby enhancing the appearanceof the ornamental disk.

It should also be noted that. in this form of the 'disk the portion thereof between the central portion 2'8 and the cushioned outer edge is bulgedoutwardly instead of inwardly as in the case of the previously described form of the invention.

In both forms of the invention, the body part l3 may be made solid or, if it is so desired, this part 13 may be apertured'so as to cause it to simulate spokes as is quite often done in the of both forms of the invention is so formed as to cooperate with concealed spring elements carried by the wheel when the disk is pressed against the flanged surface of the wheel rim. That is to say, upon the cushioned outer edge of the disk being pressed against the flanged surface of the wheel rim, the free ends of the spring elements are forced over a central turned edge of the disk,

I so as to exert pressure against the inclined portion 2626' of the disk. By thus exerting this pressure against the inclined surface of the disk, the disk is in reality pressed inwardly by the spring elements tightly against the flanged surface of the rim. Thus the disk is not only cushioned on the wheel, but the cushioned engagement is maintained by reason of the pressure exerted upon the disk by the spring retaining elements 2l--2|'.

Attention is also directed to the fact that, while I have illustrated that the disk is of such a diameter as to have its outer edge disposed inside of the valve stem opening 60 in the wheel rim, still it is within the scope of my invention to use a disk of a larger diameter and to notch or slot it out so as to allow the valve stem to extend through the opening of the slotted or notched portion.

Then, too, the disk of my invention may be given any suitable .contour or configuration which the shape or construction of the wheel. This is 7 obviously advantageous, since heretofore, every time a change in the shape'or design of the wheel was made, new dies and equipment had to be used in the wheel building apparatus.

The disk of my invention may be easily and inexpensively spun or blanked from relatively thin metallic sheet, and may thereafter be delivered unfinished to the automobile manufacturer, so that it may be finished at the same time as other parts of the automobile withwhich it is to harmonize in color and appearance.

I am aware that many changes may be made and numerous details of construction may be varied through a wide range without departing from rected annular reentrant portion, and a plurality of spring elements secured to an outer surface of the body part and projecting axially beyond the dimensions of the body part, each of said elements being substantially parallel to the axis of the wheel and having free ends over which said reentrant portion of the disk is adapted to.

be cammed so that the disk may be retained in position on the wheel solely by said elements with said disk contacting only said elements and a radially outwardly spaced portion of said wheel. 2. An ornamental wheel disk for disposition on the outer side surface of a vehicle wheel in contact with a radially outer part of the wheel, said disk being made of relatively thin sheet material and having a bulged central part connected by an inwardly converging conical wall with the remainder of the disk, and a shell intimately disposed over said central portion and clinched over a part of said wall, said wall also being shaped to aiTord an inner surface for engagement by retaining means carried by the wheel.

3: In combination, a vehicle wheel carrying spring retaining means, and an ornamental disk arranged for snap-on engagement with said retaining means and for engagement with a pryofi tool to remove the disk from the wheel, said disk being formed of sheet material having a bulged central part connected with the remainder of the disk by an inwardly converging conical wall which provides a face for engagement'by said retaining means, a shell intimately overlying said central part and clinched over said wall, and decorative means providing an added thickness of material where said disk is engaged by the pryof! tool.

4. The combination with a wheel-including a wheel mounting portion, an axial portion extending generally axiallyfrom said mounting flange,

a body member extending from the outer end of said axial portion, and a rim part, of an ornamental disk member for disposition on the side surface of a wheel, said disk member being constructed to contact the wheel in proximity'to the wheel body-member's outer periphery and spaced from the remainder of the wheel, and axially extending resilient means on one of said members for snap-on engagement with the other of said members in the region of the junction of.

said axial portion and said body part, said means afiording the sole means of attachment for said disk member and being of sufficient length to hold said disk member on the wheel in contact with an outer part of the wheel.

5. The combination with a wheel including a wheel mounting portion, an axial portion extending generally axially from said mounting flange, a body member extending from the outer end of said axial portion, and a rim part, of an orna- ,mental disk member for disposition on the side surface of the wheel, said disk member being shaped to contact the rim part of the wheel and being spaced, from the remainder of the wheel,

and axially extending resilient means on one of said members for snap-on engagement with the other of said members in the region of the junction of said axial portion and said body part, said means affording the sole means of attachment for said disk member and being of suflicient length to hold said disk member on the wheel in contact with said rim part, and said disk part terminating between lateral rim flanges in a manner 6. The combination with a wheel including a wheel mounting portion, an axial portion extending generally axially from said mounting flange,

a body member extending from the outer end of said axial portion, and a rim part, of an ornamental disk member for disposition on the side surface of the wheel, said/disk member being shaped to contact the rim part of the wheel and being spaced from the remainder of the wheel, and axially extending resilient means onone of said members for snap-onengagement with the other of said members in the region of the junction of said axial portion and said body part, said means affording the sole means 01 attachment for said disk member and being of sufficient length to hold said disk member-on the wheel in contact with said rim part, and means associated with the outer margin of the disk member to thicken the construction in this region to withstand repeated use of a prying tool.

'7. An ornamental wheel disk for disposition on the outer side of a wheel, said disk being of relatively thin sheet material and of a size to cover a substantial part of the outer side of the wheel, the outer portion of the disk being provided with means for yieldably engaging the wheel. and the central portion of the disk being provided with an outwardly pressed central portion of a con flguration corresponding to that of a hub cap and having secured to it an ornamental shell the central portion of which simulates a hub cap, said side a spring-engaging surface.

GEORGE ALBERT LYON. 

